THE INSIDE TRACK | MORNING BRIEFING

So Nowadays, McEnroe Asks, 'Posing, Anyone?'

Tennis magazine reports that after John McEnroe decided to open an art gallery, he also decided that he might be better at his business if he understood what it's like to be a painter.

So he made a deal with an artist friend: art lessons for tennis lessons.

When he walked into the art studio for his first lesson, he saw a naked woman posing.

"For the first 20 minutes, I didn't have anything on paper," McEnroe said.

So how many painting lessons did McEnroe end up taking from his friend?

"I think I went back for about three lessons," he said, reportedly grinning sheepishly.

Trivia time: Which former Laker shares the NBA playoff record for free throws in a game without a miss?

Wake-up call: Curt Schilling's wife, Shonda, gave birth to a girl, Gabriela, early last Thursday morning.

The Philadelphia pitcher was scheduled to start that night, and he insisted he was ready to pitch. Apparently not, as he gave up nine runs in 2 1/3 innings in a 10-3 loss to New York.

The headline in the next day's Philadelphia Daily News: "Mets have bundles of joy vs. Schilling."

Sour player: Every year at the French Open, the French media award the Lemon Prize to the most uncooperative player.

Said this year's winner, Marcelo Rios of Chile, who was selected for the second consecutive year: "I have no comment."

Golf junkie: Dan Shaughnessy in the Boston Globe: "Michael Jordan was hoping this would be the year for the Golden State Warriors out West. The Warriors play in Oakland, which is within driving distance of Pebble Beach."

Early decision: Sam Snead, who celebrated his 85th birthday on Tuesday, didn't hesitate when asked to name the greatest golfer ever, picking himself.

"Jack Nicklaus was second. Then Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer fought for third place," said Snead, who had a round of 78 earlier in the day at White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.

FYI: James J. Corbett was the first heavyweight champion to win wearing boxing gloves when he defeated John L. Sullivan on Sept. 7, 1892.

Looking back: On this day in 1977, A.J. Foyt became the first driver to win four Indianapolis 500 races and Janet Guthrie became the first woman to compete in the race.

Trivia answer: Gail Goodrich, with 17 against Chicago on March 28, 1971. That record was later tied by the Bulls' Bob Love in 1975 and Indiana's Reggie Miller in 1993.

And finally: Miami Heat Coach Pat Riley on Dennis Rodman: "He's like flypaper. He sticks to you. You can't get away from him.

"[Alonzo] Mourning wants to get away from Rodman, and the guy wants to hug him all night. He's ridiculous. The most ridiculous guy to come along in this game--ever."

Mr. Ridiculous is moving on to the finals with the Chicago Bulls. Riley can stew about him over the summer.